Celebrating life at Barchester

Claremont we had a lovely visit from a resident who came to have a short term stay with us and had returned home.

Along with her daughter in law she called in to say hello and kindly brought us a gift of a Rose bush to say THANK YOU for the amazing time and the care she had whilst staying with us.

The rose was aptly named Litchfield Angel and Phyllis said " I chose it because you are all Angels" along with this was a lovely card and kind words. It was so nice to see Phyllis again and she said she would come along again to see us all again and has told all her friends what a wonderful caring home it is and that she had an amazing stay with us.

It is always really nice to see people again after they have been with us and we are lucky enough at the moment to have three other residents who also come and join us for either dinner or our activities or just to catch up with friends that they have made whilst they have been with us.

Residents of Claremont were treated to an afternoon of wonderful music, which included reggae hits and many other classics from some great artists.

Welcoming back the talented Reggae Ray Hue who also explained his heritage from his father who served in the RAF during WW2.

Residents joined in with the songs which brought a party atmosphere to the whole afternoon with songs such as 'Israelites' by Desmond Dekker, 'Three Little Birds' by Bob Marley, ‘Kingston Town’ by UB40, Amazing Grace, Everly Brothers, Elvis Presley and many more outstanding hits.

Residents were singing, waving their pom-poms and even had a chance to dance either in their seats or with assistance with members of the activity team.
After the entertainment residents tucked in to Jamaican inspired food and drink jerk chicken with peas and rice, a selection of mouth watering fruits, ginger cake, ginger beer, fresh fruit punch and pina colada, which was all freshly prepared by the homes 2nd chef Mel. Residents and vocalist Ray thought the food was fantastic with many going in for seconds!

Residents and team members found out more about the music genre reggae and how it all came about and that it originated in Jamaica in the late 1960's, with famous artists such as Bob Marley & the Wailers, Jimmy Cliff and Toots and the Maytals.

Music always lifts everyone's mood and helps support memory and emotional well-being.

Claremont was delighted to welcome back the incredibly talented singer Steve Jay for a very special performance.

Together, Steve and our residents came together to pay a heartfelt tribute to the brave individuals serving in our Armed Forces.

Steve performed a wonderful selection of classic oldies that immediately resonated with the audience. The lounge was filled with energy as everyone sang along, clapped to the rhythm, and shared memories of the era. It was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon that beautifully combined high-quality musical entertainment with a meaningful moment of gratitude for our service members.

A big congratulations to Mel our 2nd Chef for being awarded employee of the month for May, Since Mel has been with us here at Claremont she has shown, commitment, dedication and flare for making an exceptional dining experience for our residents.

Nothing is to much trouble when you request extra treats for our activities or a change to the daily menu and her whole home approach is greatly appreciated by all.

A well deserved award and a big THANK YOU from everyone at Claremont.

Residents enjoyed a spectacular virtual trip on board the latest luxury liner, Cruise Ship Parkway, for its highly anticipated maiden voyage.

Passengers were warmly welcomed on deck by "Captain" Daniel (Home Service Advisor) and his dedicated crew, Chloe (General Manager), Nico (Deputy Manager), and team member Jo.

During the voyage, residents were treated to live entertainment as Daniel played a wonderful selection of well-known tunes on the piano, prompting plenty of singing and smiles. Upon safely docking at their destination, the travellers celebrated the successful journey with delicious strawberry cupcakes and a glass or two of refreshing Bucks Fizz.

It was a creative, joyful afternoon that brought the holiday spirit right into the home.

Claremont proudly celebrated two of our exceptional night carers, Filippa and Tracy, who were presented with 10-Year Long Service Awards. This milestone honours their unwavering dedication, commitment, compassion, and professionalism.

Every single night, they provide outstanding care and support to our residents while offering vital encouragement to the team working alongside them.

To mark the occasion, both were presented with beautiful bouquets of flowers as a small token of our appreciation.

Well done, Filippa and Tracy! Thank you for your continued service and for the profoundly positive impact you make on everyone in our home throughout the night.

We went on a whistle stop tour of Kettering taking in the house down Windmill Avenue where she was born, a stroll around the pleasure park and the bandstand remember time of listening to the Salvation Army Band, a visit to Park Infant School where she was a pupil when younger and we went inside for a look around and was even lucky enough to see one of the chicks that the children have seen hatch.

Then went by the Parish Church and back to the home. 
Reminiscing outings like this reinforce personal history sharing stories and generally boosting ones morale. 
Mollie stated on the return that it was lovely to get out and see some of the places that important to her.

Residents enjoyed a vibrant week packed with engaging activities and special guests. Local author Sue Moorcroft visited the home to share the inspiration behind her career as a romantic novelist. She delighted everyone by reading a few chapters from one of her 27 published books.

The culinary highlights featured a cheese-tasting session hosted by Second Chef Mel. Residents sampled a variety of flavours, including feta and farmhouse cheddar, pairing them with wine and beer while discussing their favourites.

Mel also crafted a vibrant rainbow fruit platter for Pride Awareness Month. Residents marked the occasion by exploring the history of Pride and enjoying a lively sing-along to hits.  Gentle Seated activity was also on the agenda, with a game of balloon tennis that brought plenty of laughter and smiles.

Providing a diverse activities programme ensures that every resident finds something meaningful and fun to enjoy.

Bushey House Beaumont was delighted to welcome residents, families, friends and members of the local community to its annual Garden Party yesterday afternoon as part of the Bushey Festival.

Blessed with glorious sunshine, guests spent a wonderful afternoon relaxing in the beautiful grounds while enjoying the smooth sounds of the Haberdashers' Boys' Jazz Band, whose fantastic performance provided the perfect soundtrack to the occasion. Their music was enjoyed by everyone and created a truly uplifting atmosphere throughout the afternoon.

Our talented kitchen team treated guests to an impressive selection of homemade cakes and sweet delights, which were met with delighted smiles and plenty of appreciative comments. The delicious refreshments proved to be a real highlight, with many guests returning for another taste.

The annual Garden Party is always a special opportunity to bring people together, celebrate our wonderful community and showcase the beautiful surroundings at Bushey House Beaumont. It was a memorable afternoon filled with great music, delicious food, conversation and laughter, and we would like to thank everyone who joined us and helped make the event such a success.